Last term talented students at HOHS entered a pioneering national competition designed to encourage pupils at school and college in England to learn and to recite poems by heart.

Brave students from Year 10 upwards, were invited to learn two poems, one pre-1914 and one post. The school competition was organised by Mrs Young and took place at the school on 9th December.

Three students took part reciting two poems from the two hundred available in the online anthology which supports the competition at www.poetrybyheart.org.uk. The competition was judged by senior staff from the school chaired by Mr Crump.

Tammy (Year 11), who won the competition, recited a little known poem by Anna Laetitia Barbauld from the eighteenth century called ‘The Rights of Women’. It was a very rousing performance and in contrast to Tammy’s second choice ‘Still Life’ by Elizabeth Daryush which was much more reflective in tone.

Tammy will now be reciting a third poem in the county heats which will take place at Norwich Arts Centre tomorrow – 21st January. It would be lovely if anyone could come and support Tammy on the night. Tickets are available from the box office (01603 660352) for £3.